Matthew 13:47-50 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The dragnet.

The import of this parable is similar to that of the tares, though perhaps of wider application. The theatre of the earlier parable is the land, which in prophecy designates the Hebrew people, while the sea, in the latter, points to the Gentile nations (cf. Isaiah 5:30 ; Daniel 7:2 , Daniel 7:3 ; Revelation 13:1 ; Revelation 17:1 , Revelation 17:15 ). The kingdom of heaven was first offered to the Jews, and when they rejected it, it was then carried to the Gentiles (cf. Matthew 21:43 ; Acts 13:46 , Acts 13:47 ). Note—

I. THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS ARE FISHERS OF MEN .

1 . To this service they are called.

2 . For this service they were equipped.

II. THE MEN THEY GATHER ARE " OF EVERY KIND ."

1 . The good are enclosed in the Church.

2 . The bad also are included.

3 . The visible Church is therefore imperfect.

III. THE GOOD AND THE WICKED ARE DESTINED TO A FINAL SEPARATION .

1 . The wicked will be separated to destruction.

2 . The good will be separated to salvation.